The Archbishop of Mérida-Badajoz, Mons. José Rodríguez Carballo, has published a message regarding the migration crisis in Ceuta in which he condemns the actions of the mafias that traffic in people, warns against any political exploitation of the tragedy, and recalls the teachings of Leo XIV on migration. The statement, released by the Archdiocese of Mérida-Badajoz, is accompanied by a full article from the Archbishop Emeritus of Tangier, Mons. Santiago Agrelo.
«It would be a grave sin to manipulate and take advantage of the poor»
In his message, Rodríguez Carballo states that «in the face of the drama, now turned into mourning, that we are experiencing these days due to the situation created in Ceuta, we cannot look the other way», and maintains that the events «challenge everyone», beginning with political leaders.
The archbishop warns that «it would be very sad if someone tried to gain political advantage from a serious, very serious humanitarian situation» and adds that «it would be a grave sin to manipulate and take advantage of the poor».
He also recalls that responsibility for this crisis «is shared, both by countries of origin and transit and destination» and openly condemns «the mafias that play with people and particularly with the poorest».
He recalls the teachings of Leo XIV
Rodríguez Carballo explains that he wishes to echo «the thought of the Church and more specifically of Pope Leo on immigration».
In that context, he recalls that «the dignity of the human person must be respected to the utmost», a dignity which, in the Pontiff’s words, «knows no borders».
At the same time, he emphasizes that those who arrive legally in Spain «must commit themselves to learning our language, respecting our laws and participating in the society that welcomes them, so that migration may be a true mutual enrichment».
The archbishop also quotes words from Leo XIV: «The Church cannot remain indifferent to these waters nor to any place where hunger, thirst, violence, fear or exile continue to wound human dignity».
From this perspective, he concludes that the response to immigration «is not simply about opening or closing borders without further consideration, but about balancing rights, duties and the common good, always with a human and fraternal face».
The Archdiocese publishes an article by Mons. Santiago Agrelo
Alongside Rodríguez Carballo’s message, the Archdiocese of Mérida-Badajoz has published in full an article by the Archbishop Emeritus of Tangier, Mons. Santiago Agrelo, entitled It is time to love….
In it, Agrelo maintains that what happened in Ceuta «has little or nothing to do with the drama of clandestine immigration» and considers that the events respond more to «a movement provoked by political interests» and to «an interested confrontation between powerful actors».
The Archbishop Emeritus affirms, however, that the tens of thousands of people involved in the crisis must be regarded by the Christian «as objects of mercy» and recalls that the Gospel invites us to respond with compassion to those who suffer.
His reflection concludes with a call to live Christian charity even in the midst of the crisis: «For the believer it is always time to give life, to lose it, to give it away… it is always time to love».